Record-breaking September delivers strong start to spring travel at Gold Coast Airport

The Spring school holidays have attracted record crowds this year, capping off Gold Coast Airport’s busiest September in history.

More than 560,000 passengers travelled through the terminal during September - 10 per cent more than the same period last year.

It’s estimated a further 200,000 passengers have passed through in the first two weeks of October.

Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton said several factors helped drive strong traveller numbers.

"It’s been a record breaking September , with that momentum carrying through into October’s passenger numbers. The Queensland and New South Wales school holidays, the King’s Birthday long weekend, and three Grand Finals have all boosted travel," she said.

“Typically, during holiday periods we see a few peak days followed by quieter periods, but these holidays we had day after day consistently exceeding 20,000 passengers, which is incredibly strong,”

“We also saw the Gold Coast continue to be a top holiday destination for travellers with 13,600 more passengers arriving than departing."

“The busiest day over the holidays was Friday 3 October before the King’s Birthday long weekend, with more than 23,000 travellers passing through the terminal,”

“It’s fantastic to see our airport so busy, proof the Gold Coast continues to be one of Australia’s must-visit holiday destinations,” Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said.

“The picture-perfect spring weather definitely contributed to the bumper holiday crowds we saw across the Gold Coast with occupancy sitting at over 80% across the three weeks and visitors out enjoying the best of what our city has to offer, including our beaches, nature-based experiences, theme parks, cafés and restaurants.”